The George Inn, Bristol

Always a source of mystery to my young self as I must have been driven past it hundreds of times. Back then it looked plush and upmarket with red curtains and sodium lights. Having finally made it in I find that's all gone, it's been subject to a mid-2000s refit with all the trimmings - light varnished beams, pine laminate floor, tub chairs, shiny wallpaper, plank bar with copper trim, mirrored rear wall. They were also playing 5ive, just to fully round-off the experience. Of more interest is the impressive rear garden. Four pumps with three cask ales and Sam's cider. My Sharps Atlantic was suffering from a lack of turnover but was drinkable (NBSS 2.5). Some wally didn't pay chef overtime to work Easter Saturday afternoon so around 300 quid’s worth of custom came in and walked back out over the 20 minutes I was ensconced. 5.5